Batman #3
Writer: Tom King
Artist: David Finch
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: John Workman
Publisher: DC
Reviewed by David Hildebrand
The beginning of this newest volume of Batman has been interesting. Tom King presents the question that if a couple of new superheroes move into Gotham City, would Batman be needed anymore? The past three issues we have followed the adventures of Gotham and Gotham Girl. Batman is there to help, as well as mentor the two newest heroes. And this issue finally delivers what I was hoping to see in the second issue, the origin of Gotham and Gotham Girl.
Right from the first issue, I was curious to see where the pair of heroes came from. Also, to be honest, I have no real opinion on them at the moment. Even after their origin is explained, I am still a little unsure how I feel about them. Maybe because Batman is the only hero that Gotham City needs and I don’t want to feel as though this is one of those “passing the torch” type deals.
King has quickly established that he is one of the of the best writers at the moment. He shares the origin of Gotham and Gotham Girl in this issue and it is all too familiar. A man attacks a young boy and his family. The attack mimics the violence against Bruce’s family, complete with necklace panel. Batman swoops in, saves the day and explains that everyone gets the opportunity to fight fear. We move on to the boy and his sister growing up, learning the lesson of fear uttered by the Caped Crusader. The origin of the two is both similar and different. We learn a great deal more about them, but there are still questions about them. But it is a well told origin story. I do like them more than I did from the first issue, but as I mentioned, there is still a bit of uncertainty lingering. The rest of the issue is similar to the previous two. There is a disaster, the pair want to prove that they are an asset to the City and battle the evil as Batman continues to feel them out.
King has done an exceptional job so far with Batman. The way he tells the origin of these two new heroes is clearly a standout moment so far. I await to see what he does with the two new heroes. Especially after the cliffhanger we are left with at the end of this issue.
Finch’s art is impressive all around in Batman #3. His detail to the new heroes is amazing. He’s really put breathes life into them. The gadgets, Batman’s vehicles, the costumes, he even makes a crumbling building look sexy. The book is a joy to look at it. After reading it once, I went back through it a second time, admiring the detail he brings to Gotham City. Bellaire’s colors completes the visual story. The colors are dark and set a grimy setting, perfect for the beloved Gotham.
The Verdict
Buy it! Only three issues in but King and Finch are killing it! I’m enjoying this story so much that it makes me happy that DC is doing the book twice a month. I look forward to seeing what becomes of Gotham and Gotham Girl. I really want to like these characters, I just hope that King stays true to what he has done so far and doesn’t use them as a simple plot device. If you are a Batman fan and have been debating whether or not this is the time to jump on to this new volume, I’m here to tell you, YES! Go out and pick up Batman #3 and I truly do hope that you enjoy it half as much as I have.
